Keto vs Low Carb...is there a difference?

lisamarie2181

Hi all! I have been perusing the Keto groups trying to see what the difference is between the two and can't really figure it out.

I thought your body went into ketosis on any low carb, but am I mistaken? Do you have to strictly stay under 20g a day?

I have PCOS and have tried other ways to lose, was just eating pescatarian for a few months and started gaining weight because of too many carbs, and I have been now back to low carb for three weeks, staying below 50, have usually been between 30-40 most days. My cravings are completely gone and this is the first time in months I have not fallen off track over the weekends. Have had 3 on track weekends so far, so happy about that.

I do not want to cut out a lot of veggies, I have stayed away from the obvious starchy ones - potato, corn, etc. and I feel the nutrients in veggies are vital, but I am not going to get the same results having a bit of a higher carb count?

I see most people talk about having the Keto flu, or weird smelling pee, bad breath, things of this nature, and I have none of those things, so does that mean I am not in ketosis? More importantly is it necessary to be in ketosis to be successful with low carb?

Also, I had my RMR tested and have a more accurate cal count, my cals are set around 2500, and when I changed my macros to around 5%, they came in the 30's for 5%. This should be more accurate than using just the less than 20 approach correct? if I went down to 20 I would be eating less than 5% of carbs, that can't be good right?

I would love any input, I have done low carb in the past, but there were not so many low carb options then and I really don't want to follow a specific diet plan, just trying to stick to meat, veggies, dairy and the occasional low carb treat.

And I did not post this in the groups because everytime Ihave posted things, don't get much unput so thought the larger community could be more helpful.

Thanks in advance

lisamarie2181

BUMP!! ANYONE OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP ANSWER MY QUESTIONS!!?? Please :flowerforyou:

jessiesgurl01

Yes, since you have had your RMR tested, I would start off w/ those numbers first to see how you do.

I've just started doing Keto, and from what I've read, it depends on your body as far as the carb%. I believe "STRICT" keto is 5%, most say to stay under 20g, but most can eat up to 50g and still stay in ketosis. I haven't noticed any of the side effects, but I've done a low carb diet before and have also read that it may be why we don't feel any side affects. ?? I've noticed that I do better when I stay below 20g.

That's all I have, sorry! I'm new to this too

toutmonpossible

I don't know much about the topic, but certain kinds of Intermittent Fasting (IF) also cause the body to go into ketosis. The book on "Fast Five" (eating window of five hours a day, the rest of the time one drinks no-cal beverages or water) says this will happen after about three weeks. Fast Five is not a low carb diet; you can do it with any healthy diet on which you create a calorie deficit.

denisegresham1

keto has less fruit and vegetables due to the carbs, and no pasta or breads. Lots more strict than Atkins or Paleo. I don't have a problem with it, mainly because I don't miss the breads or pasta or fruit. Do miss a lot of my vegetables. So if you like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, try Paleo.

RodaRose

When you cut carbs, you add fats and oils like butter.

Camo_xxx

Keto , means keeping yourself in ketosis. The daily grams of carbs to stay in keto varies by person and can be measured by a pee stick.
It takes some experimentation to hone your personal macros.

Low carb is a general term and widely used by different eating philosophy groups. All restrict carbs to some degree that is under the RDA.